Mining machine



vSept. 6, 1932. j M P., HoLMEs MINING MACHINE Filed D80. 50. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l mmrnm 'Mmm y Sept. 6, 17932.

M. P. HOLMES Y MINING MACHINE Filed DeG. 50, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 j( Egg. 5.

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Filed Deo. 3 0, 1929 4 SheeiS-Sheet 5 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 6, 1932. M. P. HoLMs MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 50, 1929 Patented Sept. 6, 1932V UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

Monms P. noLMns-on CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AssIGNon'ro SULLIVAN p CHINERY COMPANY, A coRPoRATHIoN on yMAssAcnUsET'rs MINING MACHINE Application ined December 3o,` 1929. serial No. 417,328.

rIhis invention relates to improvements in mining machines and more particularly to coal mining machines of the flexiblyfed, bottom cutting type. f An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining machine. Another object is -to provideA an improved mining machine of the fleXiblyfed, bottom cuttingtype.

A further object is to provide an improved feeding mechanism for a coal mining maf` chine. Another Objectis to provide an im'- proved coal mining machine of the exibly fed continuo-us cutter, bottom cutting ltype having improved feeding `and guiding mechanism and more particularly improved feeding and guiding mechanism for' afroom and pillar type'VV coal mining machine. Still another object isto provide an improved bottom cutting mining machine of the room and pillar type having improved machine feeding `and guiding mechanism wherein separate .relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members and separat-e flexible feeding elementsr cooperating respectively' therewith are employed .for feeding and guiding the machine along the coal face. Another object is to provide in a mining machinev of the aforesaid type improved feeding mechanism including .relatively rotatable feed operatingand controlling members mounted in an improved manner on the machine and having separate plural predetermined speed driving connections whereby said members may be rotated in winding direction either at the same time or separately at a pluralityl of predetermined speeds. It is also an object of this invention to provide in a mining machine of the'aforel said typeimproveddriving and controlling means for the feed operating and controlling members whereby said membersfmayj rotate in a direction to draw in their respective ,flex` ible feeding elements .either Vseparately or simultaneously at arelatively slow cutting speed or at a relatively high machine moving speed, may rotate infa direction to pay out said flexible feeding elements'under various degrees of frictional resistance, or without such resistance. Yet another object is to provide n improved flexible-feeding mechanism for a coal mining machinewhich is of anexceedingly compact and rugged design whereby themachine maybe fed and controlled in a more flexible and advantageous manner. These andvother objects and advantages offthis invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description and as more particularly pointed out in the `appended claims. A,

In the 'accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of 4illustration one form which the invention may' assume in practice..

In these dra.wings ,Y V ,f l Fig. 1 is aplanview of a room and pillar type coal mining machine equipped with the l illustrative embodiment of the improved flexible feeding means. j

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in 'Fig.,1. y Y j Fig. 3 is a rear end elevational view *of theimproved mining machine. n s

Fig. 4 is a longitudinally extendingver'tic'al sectional viewtaken substantially 0n line 4 4 of Fig. 6. i.

' Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view; taken substantially on line 5 f5 of Fig,6. Fig,6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 ofFig. 2.

Fig. 7 is alongitudinally extending vertical, sectional view taken substantially on lineY7-7of Fig. 6. c

v Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view illustrating the controlr means forthe speed controlling clutches. n

` Fig. 9 is ai longitudinally extending vertical sectional' view taken` substantially on une 9 9 of Figc; Y. i t v lFig. 10 is a detail sectional view illustrating a portion Vof the feed gearing.V p

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there'is 'shown a'coal mining'machine of the flexibly fed, room and pillar, bottom cutting type, although it is obvious that the various novell features of the invention may be embodied in mining machines of various 'other types. This mining ma-v chine generally comprises a machine frame l Vhaving a plane bottom surface 2 upon which the machineis slidably supported for of the 'transverse Ashaft 32. Secured as by a clutch 52 or otherwise suitably connected to the hub of the spur gear 59 is a sleeve member 53 rotatably mounted on a bearing sleeve 54 supported by the reduced innerend of the transverse shaft 31. Keyed to the shaft 32 is a clutch member 55 carrying the outerdiscs oi a multiple disc clutch 56, the inner discs of the clutch being carried by the spur gear 5,0. KeyedV to the shaft 31 is a clutchA member 57 carrying `the outer Vdiscs of a multiple disc clutch 58, the inner discs being carried by the sleeve member 53. It will thus be seen that when'the clutches 56, 58 are applied, the feeding and controlling drums 8 `and 9` may be driven in winding direction at a relatively fast speed from the motor through spur gearing 18, 19, 44,l worm gearing 46, 47 ,i sleeve 48, spur gearing 49, 50, shafts'31, 32, and

spur pinions 33, 34 meshing with the internal gears 35, 36 secured to the drums 8 and 9 respectively.

The operating means for `the feed control-Y ling clutches 42, 43 and 56, 58 will now he described. Interposed between the clutches 56, 43 and slidably mounted on the adjacent hubs of the clutchelements is ia shiftable clutch member 59, while mounted on the ad jacent hubs of elements of clutches 42 and 58 is a similar member 60.` Eachof the members 59 and60 act through usual thrust bearings on pressure plates 61, one for each clutch and each having fingers projecting into engagement with the end disc of the clutch. As clearly shown in F ig. 8, engaging each ofthe clutch applying members59, 60 is a shipper yoke 62 pivoted at 63 on the feed frame section. The shipper yokes have integral projecting lever portions 64 bifurcated at their ends for connection to trunnions 65 and 66 respectively. Each of the trunnions is in the form of a nut threadedly connected to screws 67 and 68 respectively. The screw 68 is formed on a rotatable sleeve 69 rotatably sup-`- Y ported at 70 within the side ofthe vfeed frame and carrying at its outer end a `clutch mem-l is employed for holding the rod 74 in either of its adjustedl positions.V It will thus bev seen that when the hand wheel 76 is slid inwardly to connect the clutch teeth thereon with the clutch teeth on the member 73 and the hand wheel is rotated, the screw 67 is rotated, and as a result the V,shipper yoke is swung in one direction or the other to apply either the clutch 42 or the clutch 58. Then the rod 74 4is slid in the opposite direction, connecting the clutchfteeth on the member ywill therefore be yevident that the sets of clutches 42, 58 and 56, 43 may be only alternatively applied and that the clutches may be controlled by the hand wheels 75, 7 6 from either side of the machine.

The improved miningniachine is adapted to be mountedvupon a truck during transport thereof about the mine and improved connections are provided so that the truck wheels may be -driven from the mining machine motor. This improved truck wheel driving mechanism comprises a spur pinion 78 secured to the shaft 2O and meshing with a spurA gear 79 .(see Fig. 7). keyed to` a horizontal longitudinally extending shaft V80. This shaft Vis suitably rotatably mounted within the feed frame section and has keyed thereto at its outer end a truck driving member 81 having formed therein a polygonal socket 82 for the reception of a correspondingly shaped member on the transport` truck as is well ,knownin the art. It will thus be seen that when the machine is mounted upon its transport truck, the truck wheels may be driven from the motor 16 through spur gearing 18, 19, shaft 20 and spur gearing 78 andy 79 at a relatively` high transport speed.

The? operation 'of the improved mining machine will now be described; Ther mining machinev is transported about the mine while supported upon its transport truck and the truck wheels are driven from the motor vof the machinethrough the connections above referred to by the truck driving member 81. After the machine has'been transported into the room which is desired lto be worked, the machine is unloaded from its truck in a-yusual manner` and one or the other ofthe cables 10, 11 is extended from its respective drum toa suitable anchor located adjacent the coal face at the right hand rib vofthe room. One or the other of the fast speed controlling frictions 56, v58 is then applied, and the desired drum is driven in winding direction ata relativelyhigh speed, moving `the machine rapidly over the mine floor as the cable is wound iin. When the machine is-suitably positioned adjacent the face at thev righthand rib, the cable 11 is extended from the drum-9 around the guide sheave 13 forwardly-along the side of the machine to sie a suitable anchor. The cable 10 is extended `from the drum 8 around the front Vguide `sheave 14 and laterally from the machine across the coal face to a suitable anchor located at the left hand rib of the room. The friction clutch 43 is thenapplied and thedrumv 9 is rotated in winding direction at la-relatively slowspeed,"winding= in the cable 11 and moving themachine endwise to sump .the4 cutter bar 6 beneath the ycoal for the machine during the sumpmg opera- Vus tion. After the cutter bar has been smnped beneath the coal the machineis straightened up and fed transversely across the face, the drum 9 winding in the cable l() at arelatively slow speed under the control Aof the friction clutch 42, while the drum 9 maintains the cable l1 under the desired controlling tension under the control of the friction clutch 43. lf it is desired to angle the machine during its transverse cutting operation, this may be accomplished by releasing the friction clutch 43, thereby permitting the cable l1 to unwind from the drum 9 and as a'result the rear end of the` machine is swung forwardly by the pull of the feedcable l0 and the reaction of the cutters against the coal. If it is desired to swing the rear endof the machine rearwardly, this' may be accomplished by slipping the friction 42' `while the friction clutch 43 is applied, thereby causing the cable llto be drawn in, and as a result, swinging the rear end of the machine rearwardly. After theV transverse cutting operation has been completed, the cutter bar is angled and Withdrawn from the face in a well known manner underl the control of the drums 8 and 9. AThe machineisthen moved at a fast speed over the mine floor and loaded onto its transport truck -tobe transported to another working place. It is evident that the feed and controlling drums 8 and 9 under the control of the friction clutches 42, 58 and 56, 43 may be rotated in winding direction either separately or simultaneously at relativey low speed or at 4a relatively high speed or may rotate'in unwinding direction under various degrees of frictional resistance or without such resistance. These and other uses and advantages of this improved feeding mechanism will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art. Y

As a result of this invention vit will be noted that an improved feeding mechanism is provided for a coal mining machine of the iexibly fed, bottom cutting type wherein the niarchine may be fed and guided 'in' a more flexible and advantageous manner. It will further be noted that an improvedplura'l speed Vtransmission mechanism is provided, frictionally controlled at each speed,jwhere by the feeding and controlling drums may be driven in winding direction either separately or at the same time at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed, may :rotate in unwinding direction under various degrees f frictional resistance, or without such resistance. It will-still further be evident that the improved feeding mechanism *is extremely compact both vertically and laterally, and

simple land rnggedin design and, controlled by large frictions well adapted to withstand the severeconditions of service.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that thisformgof the same is .shown for purposes of illustration and` that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.V

TWhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentfis: v

1. A .mining machineA feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed operating-and controlling. members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mechan-ism for said members including alined shafts one connected to each member, a slow speedjgear train for each shaft including a terminal gear coaxial with each shaft, a

Vclutch for connect-ing each terminal gear to its respectiveshaft, a fast speed gear train including a terminal gear coaxial with said shafts, and clutches for connectingv said shafts to said fast speed terminal' gear.

` 2. A mining machine feeding lmechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directlyv with-flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mechanism for said members including alined horizontal' shafts one connected to each member, a slow speed gear train for eachshaft including a terminal gear coaxial with each shaft, a clutch for connecting each terminal gear to its respective shaft, a fast speed gear train including a terminal gear coaxial with said shafts, and clutches for connecting said shafts to said fast speed terminal gear.

3. A mining machine feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members-each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mechanism for said members including alined horizontal shafts extending transversely of the machine one connected to each member, a slow speed gear train for each shaft including a terminal gear coaxial with each shaft, a clutch .for connecting each terminal gear to its respect-ive shaft, a fast speed gear train including a terminal gear coaxial with said shafts, and clutches for connecting said shafts to said fast speed terminal gear.

-4. A mining machineV feeding mechanism comprising relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate `directly with fiexible feeding means, and a plural speed driving mechanism. for said members for'rotating the latter either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective fiexible feeding means vat relatively high speed and at relatively low speed including relatively rotatable coaxial transmissionmembers var-- ranged on a horizontal'axis extending transfversely of the machine, a separate and ydiS- tinct slow speed kgear train for each member driven from one of said coaxial transmission members, and al high speed gear train common to both members driven from said other coaxial transmission member. l

5. A mining: machine feedingmechanism including` relatively rotatable feed operat- 'ing and controlling members eachy adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motoroperated devices fory drivingv said members in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at eithera relatively high or a relatively low speed including alined shafts one connected to each member, fast and'slow speed gear trains, one of said gear trains branching and having a gear element coaxial with each shaft, clutches for connecting said gear elements to their respective coaxial shafts, the other gear train including a gear element coaxial with said shafts, and `clutches ,forl

necting said slow speed gearsto their respective shafts, a fast speed geary coaxial with said shafts, and separate clutches for conf necting said shafts to said fastf speed gear.

7. A mining` machine feeding mechanism includingV relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate 'directly with flexiblej feeding means, and motor operated devices lfor driying said members in a direction to draw in their respective flexiblefeeding means at relatively low Ispeed or at relativelyhigh speed including a fast speed gear train and a slow speed gear train, each gear train including a'worm wheel, worms rotating on horizontal axes and meshing with said worm wheels respectively, and clutch devices for connecting either member in driving relation with either worm wheel or for connecting one member in driving relation with .one woimwheel while the other member is simultaneously kconnected 'in driving relation with the other worm whe-el.

8. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members eachA adapted;y to

cooperate directly i with flexiblev feedingmeans, and-motor operated devices fordriv- Y ing said members in a direction to draw in their Arespective flexible feeding means at relatively high speed or at relatively low speed including worm wheels rotating on horizontal axes, yworms rotating on horizontal axes and meshing with said worm wheels respectively, and devices for connecting either member in driving relation with either worm wheel or for connecting one member in drive' ing relation with one worm wheel while the other member is simultaneously connected in drivingrelation with the other worm wheel. .9. A miningmachine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operat- .ing and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding'V relatively high speed or at relatively lowv .speed including worm.wheels lrotating on horizontal axes, worms rotating on horizon'- tal axesextending longitudinallyof the machine and meshing with said worm wheels respectively, vand devices for connecting either member in driving relation with either worm wheel or for connecting one member in driving relation with one worm ywheel while the other member is simultaneously connected in driving relation with the other worm wheel. v

10. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted-.to co- -operate directly with -flexible feeding means,

and motor operated devices for driving said lmembers in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means at either a relatively high or a relatively low speed ini cluding coaxial relatively rotatable shafts, a fast speed gear train for driving one of said yshafts including a fast speed worm wheel, a

slow speed gear train for driving said other shaft yincluding a slow speed worm wheel,;

worms rotating on horizontal axes and meshing with said kworm wheels respectively,` and f devices for connecting eithermember in driving relation with either shaft.

11. Aimining machine feeding mechanismf including relatively rotatable feedoperating and controlling members` each adapted to cooperate directly withy flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driv- Aing said members in a direction to draw ing'jmo of said shafts including a fast speed wormt wheel, a slow speed gear train for 'driving said other shaft including a slow'speedworm wheel, worms rotatingon` horizontal axes extending longitudinally of the machiner and meshing with said worm wheels respectivelysc ,Iso

5i aan trains. e 19. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means,

and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a fast and slow speed transmission mechanism, said mechanism including three coaxial gears, and four clutches, two of said clutches controlling the connection of two of said gears with said members, and the other two of said clutches controlling the connection of said members with said third gear, said third gear remaining idle during driving of said members by said first two gears.

20. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective iiexv ible feeding means including aligned shafts one connected to each member, a slow speed transmission mechanism including separate gear trains one geartrain connected to one aligned shaft and the other gear train connected to the other alined shaft, a fast speed transmission mechanismL including a gear train connected to both of said alined shafts, and clutches controlling the connection` of said shafts with their respective gear trains. 21. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including a shaft, a second shaft, said shafts parallel to the same straight line, a slow speed gear train for drivingone of said shafts, a fast speed gear train for driving said other shaft, a pair of shafts parallel with said shafts and respectively con nected to said members, gear trains between one of said first mentioned shafts and said pair of shafts respectively, and a gear train between said second mentioned shaft and said pair of shafts.

mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed operating and controlling members each adapted to c0- op'erate directly with flexible feeding means and motor operated devices for driving said members either separately or simultaneously in a direction to draw in their respective flexible feeding means including coaxial relatively rotatable shafts, alined shafts one connected to each member and arranged parallel with said coaxial shafts, a slow speed gear" train for driving one of said coaxial shafts, separate gear trains between said slow speed coaxial shaft and said alined shafts, a fast speed gear train for driving said other coaxial shaft, and a gear train between said fasti speed coaxial shaft` and said alined shaft-s, and clutches for connecting said alined shafts with the gear trains through which they are drivable.

23. A mining machine feeding mechanism including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with iexible feeding means, and motor operated driv ing means therefor including a slow speed gearV train having coaxial driving elements and a fast speed gear train having a single driving element rotating on an axis parallel to the axis of said coaxial elements, and clutch mechanism for connecting one of `said feed members to one of said slow speed driving elements and the other feed member to said other slow speed driving element and for connecting either feed member in driving relation with said fast speed driving element.

24. A mining machine feeding mechanisn including relatively rotatable feed members each adapted to cooperate directly with flexible feeding means, and motor operated driving means for said members including a slow speed gear train having coaxial driving gears, a fast speed gear train having a single driving gear arranged on an axis parallel with the axis of said coaxial gears, friction clutches, one individual to each slow speed driving gear, for connecting one gear to one feed member and the other gear to the other feed member and friction clutches for connecting either feed member in driving relation with said fast speed gear.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature. 

